By
TIM O'CONNOR

BUNINYONG youngster Billy Jones will miss his team’s round 16 Central Highlands Football League clash with Beaufort after being handed a one-match ban at the AFL Goldfields Region Independent Tribunal on Tuesday night.

Jones received the suspension for bumping or making forceful head high contact on Hepburn key position player Tom Conroy during the teams’ grand final rematch on Saturday.

Burras coach Clive Raak told The Courier that Conroy – a premiership player with the club in 2013 – was very lucky to escape serious injury after receiving a bruised spine as a result of the contact.

The tribunal heard the severity of the incicent was high and Jones pleaded guilty to the charge and showed remorse for his actions.

Jones, who has played an important role for the Bombers in his first full year out of the juniors, will be eligible to return for the side’s all-important clash with Gordon in the final game of the home and away campaign.